COMING BACK HOME
The drive to Seacoast Church was an anxious one. MaKenna sat in the passenger seat next to her mom, regretting that she’d agreed to go with her to the Chosen Women’s Conference.
Everyone knows.
I can’t show my face.
A week earlier, she’d moved to Hilton Head to be with her boyfriend, and in going to the conference, she was likely to run into several of the people she’d practically ghosted. People who knew about her recent life choices. People who knew what she’d given up to be with her boyfriend.
At twenty years old, MaKenna had scrapped her plan to begin studying at Southeastern University’s (SEU) Seacoast campus that fall, quit singing on Seacoast’s worship team, and sacrificed relationships with family and friends. It felt in many ways like she had left behind everyone and everything she knew.
A part of her knew her boyfriend wasn’t good for her, but MaKenna wanted marriage and a family so badly that she made excuses for him and ignored the many warning signs.
Learning that her mom had openly shared with her small group about the struggles MaKenna was facing and her recent life choices only made it harder for MaKenna to walk into the Worship Center for the start of the conference. She was angry. Those were private details of her life. Her decisions were none of anyone’s business. She added her mom’s small group friends to her list of people to avoid, expecting them to judge her.
I just want to be a shadow.
I hope no one notices me.
Everyone knows.
I can’t show my face.
A week earlier, she’d moved to Hilton Head to be with her boyfriend, and in going to the conference, she was likely to run into several of the people she’d practically ghosted. People who knew about her recent life choices. People who knew what she’d given up to be with her boyfriend.
At twenty years old, MaKenna had scrapped her plan to begin studying at Southeastern University’s (SEU) Seacoast campus that fall, quit singing on Seacoast’s worship team, and sacrificed relationships with family and friends. It felt in many ways like she had left behind everyone and everything she knew.
A part of her knew her boyfriend wasn’t good for her, but MaKenna wanted marriage and a family so badly that she made excuses for him and ignored the many warning signs.
Learning that her mom had openly shared with her small group about the struggles MaKenna was facing and her recent life choices only made it harder for MaKenna to walk into the Worship Center for the start of the conference. She was angry. Those were private details of her life. Her decisions were none of anyone’s business. She added her mom’s small group friends to her list of people to avoid, expecting them to judge her.
I just want to be a shadow.
I hope no one notices me.
That first night, in the 2,500-seat worship center, MaKenna successfully avoided most of her church friends, along with people on staff at Seacoast and from SEU. She hadn’t seen or spoken to them in over a month.Little did she know, God was moving.
In the days leading up to the conference, the women of her mom’s small group were fervently praying for her return to the Lord. Her mom messaged them, “Y’all keep praying for MaKenna. I know the Lord’s going to bring her back, but don’t stop praying.”
Hesitantly, MaKenna committed to returning for the second day of the conference. But as she prepared herself for a full day at the church, the fear of judgment returned.
Everyone knows.
I can’t show my face.
I just want to be a shadow.
I hope no one notices me.
For the morning session, once again, she managed to avoid most of the people she knew. After lunch, she felt drawn to attend a worship breakout session in the Student Center. Worship was second nature to her. As the first song began, she started crying. There was something safe and familiar and comforting in using her voice to praise God. She missed it so much.
In the middle of worship, Kelly Delph came on stage and shared her story, how she’d been with a guy and moved to Hilton Head with him. MaKenna’s breath caught as she intently listened. Kelly described how desperately she’d wanted love and a family, even if it meant settling with someone who wasn’t God’s best for her. But the Lord convicted her to end the relationship, and she did. MaKenna was shocked.
Kelly’s story was literally what she had been living. After the session, MaKenna hurried over to Kelly to thank her and ask for prayer. In bowing her head and closing her eyes, she felt God’s presence and knew what she had to do.
MaKenna went to find her mom.
“I’m coming back home,” she told her and removed the promise ring her boyfriend had given her. MaKenna replaced it with a ring she had bought at the conference—a ring that would serve as a commitment to remain close to the Lord and continue to grow in her relationship with him, knowing he is steadfast and faithful.
The rest of that day was like a celebration. Friends whom she’d avoided rejoiced over the good news and praised God for answered prayers. MaKenna also made the decision to be baptized again that night, as a physical sign of her renewed mindset and heart posture.
In the days leading up to the conference, the women of her mom’s small group were fervently praying for her return to the Lord. Her mom messaged them, “Y’all keep praying for MaKenna. I know the Lord’s going to bring her back, but don’t stop praying.”
Hesitantly, MaKenna committed to returning for the second day of the conference. But as she prepared herself for a full day at the church, the fear of judgment returned.
Everyone knows.
I can’t show my face.
I just want to be a shadow.
I hope no one notices me.
For the morning session, once again, she managed to avoid most of the people she knew. After lunch, she felt drawn to attend a worship breakout session in the Student Center. Worship was second nature to her. As the first song began, she started crying. There was something safe and familiar and comforting in using her voice to praise God. She missed it so much.
In the middle of worship, Kelly Delph came on stage and shared her story, how she’d been with a guy and moved to Hilton Head with him. MaKenna’s breath caught as she intently listened. Kelly described how desperately she’d wanted love and a family, even if it meant settling with someone who wasn’t God’s best for her. But the Lord convicted her to end the relationship, and she did. MaKenna was shocked.
Kelly’s story was literally what she had been living. After the session, MaKenna hurried over to Kelly to thank her and ask for prayer. In bowing her head and closing her eyes, she felt God’s presence and knew what she had to do.
MaKenna went to find her mom.
“I’m coming back home,” she told her and removed the promise ring her boyfriend had given her. MaKenna replaced it with a ring she had bought at the conference—a ring that would serve as a commitment to remain close to the Lord and continue to grow in her relationship with him, knowing he is steadfast and faithful.
The rest of that day was like a celebration. Friends whom she’d avoided rejoiced over the good news and praised God for answered prayers. MaKenna also made the decision to be baptized again that night, as a physical sign of her renewed mindset and heart posture.
Within the span of 24 hours, God transformed her life. The anxious girl sitting next to her mom in the car was gone. After the conference, she ended her toxic relationship, moved back home, and returned to church. The following month, her obedience led her to SEU Seacoast where she began pursuing a degree in Ministerial Leadership. MaKenna plans to become a worship leader.
God used the prayers and testimony of others at Chosen to change the trajectory of her life. No longer hiding in the shame of an unhealthy relationship, she is now walking in the light of Christ.
Confident
Unashamed
Full of faith
Free
God used the prayers and testimony of others at Chosen to change the trajectory of her life. No longer hiding in the shame of an unhealthy relationship, she is now walking in the light of Christ.
Confident
Unashamed
Full of faith
Free
